I believe most people had this Sunday’s game circled on their “must watch” list. This is the best quarterback duel in all of football history. Brady has the upper hand in Super Bowl rings, wins over Manning, playoff wins over Manning, and probably has the better overall team. However, Manning has four of the last five wins and is catching up fast in this rivalry.

There is a lot of respect between these two QB’s. “He’s(Manning) someone that I’ve always looked up to and admired, and I respect the way he plays the position, and the way he works, the way he leads,” Brady said. Brady knows he has a much better chance of being stopped by Manning’s slow methodical offense then Denver’s defense. But with ball control comes the running game.

I think the Pats have proved that they can make an offense one dimensional. The problem is that one dimension makes up for all the yards of the other and it is the reason they are 2-2. If the Pats can stop McGahee, who has over 350 yards and 3 TD’s this season(solid for today’s style of game) they will easily win. The running game keeps Manning’s arm fresh throughout the game. But if the Pats shut it down, Manning’s arm will get tired and he will throw a few picks.

Manning is not the Manning of 2005. He needs help, but so does Brady. I do not think Bolden can replicate his career game, but he may be able to break out with a few ten yard runs. Ridley, however, will be able to get a ground game going. If he can get 85 yards, his season average, than the Pats will put up some major points.

In the end I do not think the Broncos have a chance. This is the same Denver defense that let up 45 playoff points. This is the same Manning who Belichick has dissected many times. It is after a huge comeback win for the Pats. All the stars are aligned and the Pats will win handily, 31-17.

A few predictions:

Manning will have a better first half than Brady, but will have a worse second half